Common cold may protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and lead the way to new vaccines

These memory T cells target proteins inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Speaking to MNT, Dr. Arturo Casadevall, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and chair of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, commented: “The study is small, but the findings are interesting and consistent with other data that prior experience with other coronavirus infections can affect a person’s susceptibility to COVID-19.”He added: “This study reinforces the notion that an individual’s immunological history, and in particular prior infection with other coronaviruses, is a major factor in determining who gets ill.”Current vaccines target the spike proteins (antigens) on SARS-CoV-2 and stimulate the production of antibodies specific to the spike proteins. A T cell vaccine could represent this next step in the vaccination strategy to control SARS-CoV-2.”–Dr. Rhia Kundu.Dr. Casadevall supported her view: “It may be possible to make very different types of vaccines than the ones we are currently using to protect against COVID-19 by eliciting cell-mediated immunity.”The Imperial research team is now collaborating with other research groups to develop and test second-generation vaccines.Dr. Simon Clarke, Associate Professor in Cellular Microbiology, University of Reading in the U.K., told the Science Media Center: “It could be a grave mistake to think that anyone who has recently had a cold is protected against Covid-19, as coronaviruses only account for 10-15% of colds.”Dr. Kundu reiterated this message: “Having had a cold does not necessarily mean that you have these T cells, and vaccination remains the best possible protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread.”For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.As the coronavirus outbreak continues, a host of misconceptions and half-truths surround it.